Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground had its origins in the 90th anniversary exposition of The Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA). This building, shaped by unique reasons and historical factors, stands as a beacon of Thailand’s evolving international design status.
Project Name: Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Studio Name: HAS design and research
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Completion year: 2024
Lead architects: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee
Design team: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee, Saralchana Pueakhachen, Muze Ouyang, Jiamin Yang
Structure consultant: Buncha Layangkoon
Lighting consultant: Light Is
Aluminum production: KIN Thailand
Structure production: Pacific Pipe Co., Ltd.
Lighting production: Motion Tech Thailand Co Ltd, Neowave Technology
Constructor: Bangkok Canvas
Site area: 180 sq.m.
Gross built area: 180 sq.m.
Photo credit: DOF Sky|Ground
It is a testament to how acclaimed Thai architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee masterfully translate Thailand’s long-standing culture, craftsmanship, and natural beauty into an extraordinary architectural exploration.
This architectural marvel was initiated by the Thai aluminum company S-ONE Group and KIN, with the design jointly commissioned to HAS Design and Research. In the early stages, the visionary minds of Hung And Songkittipakdee (HAS) conceived a groundbreaking concept: to recreate a landscape resembling a natural valley within the crowded and bustling exhibition. This design evokes the symbiotic way of life that existed in Thailand hundreds of years ago, where people thrived amidst undulating terrains, relying on the abundant resources provided by their natural surroundings.
Continuing the tradition of harnessing the benefits of the natural environment, HAS Design and Research proposed that the building serve as a public rest area, offering free access to learning, art exchanges, and educational lectures. After numerous meetings and discussions, the owners embraced the vision of HAS Design and Research founders and architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, transforming Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground into a non-commercial center for exchange and learning, open to all.
With a commitment to public accessibility, the final design takes the form of a floating valley. The elevated structure creates expansive, open, and interactive spaces, generating “gray areas” that attract visitors and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments. This design also pays homage to the multifunctional “Tai toon” of traditional Thai stilt houses. At special moments, the building’s interior is illuminated by natural skylight, resembling a sunlit valley. This illumination provides not only spaces for educational lectures, art learning, and creative workshops but also infuses the area with a sense of ritualistic “extraordinariness,” offering an unprecedented sensory experience.
The complex appearance of Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground and its large-span cantilever structure create an unprecedented natural impression. The building is composed of hundreds of thousands of aluminum strips, with a design that integrates skin, space, structure, lighting, and architecture into a holistic Total-ness concept. This reflects how Hung And Songkittipakdee continue their architectural practice philosophy, creating a new way of coexistence between humans and nature in the concrete jungle.
Each of the hundreds of thousands of aluminum strips used in the building is of a unique length, meticulously cut and assembled by local Thai craftsmen by hand. This craftsmanship is reminiscent of the construction methods of Thailand’s famous Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). In today’s rapidly developing industrialized world, Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground integrates tradition and future with an unconventional concept, allowing Thai people to rediscover the potential of local craftsmanship.
